After three decades in talk radio, Republican Larry Elder made national headlines in 2021 during California’s recall election.
Elder, a first-time candidate, received more votes than any other Republican in an attempt to oust Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom. In the 46-member race, Elder finished ahead of household names like television star Caitlyn Jenner, and he beat out career politicians like former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer.
Now, Elder is mounting a second run for elected office… and he’s shooting very high.
Elder, 70, announced a 2024 Republican presidential primary campaign Thursday on Tucker Carlson Tonight.
“The reason I’m doing this is because my father was a World War II vet,” Elder told Carlson. “My little brother Dennis actually served in Vietnam, in the Army. I’m the only one that didn’t serve, and I don’t feel good about that. I feel I have a moral, a religious, and a patriotic duty to give back to the country that’s been so good to my family and to me.”
Afterward, Elder tweeted, “America is in decline, but this decline is not inevitable. We can enter a new American Golden Age, but we must choose a leader who can bring us there. That’s why I’m running for President.”
Elder lost his 2021 attempt to oust incumbent Gov. Gavin Newsom in heavily Democratic California. He conceded on election night.
However, Elder said the experience of running for office — and the millions of votes he received — showed he had a message that resonated with voters. A lawyer who grew up in Los Angeles’ rough South Central neighborhood, Elder attended an Ivy League college and then law school.
An early adopter of talk radio, Elder became a Hollywood gadfly after starting The Larry Elder Show in 1993. In the 2000s, he even became the subject of a diss track by actor-musician Will Smith.
Over the years, Elder has built a huge following.
The California Republican joins a Republican field that includes former President Donald Trump, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, former Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson, and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. President Joe Biden, a Democrat, has said he plans to seek reelection, but he has yet to announce a campaign formally.
Elder is set to speak this weekend at Iowa Faith and Freedom Coalition alongside Trump and Hutchinson.
“Thank you so much for giving me this honor and this platform,” Elder told Carlson, referring to the platform for a campaign announcement.
Larry Elder makes the announcement that he is running for president pic.twitter.com/d8hWXipABf
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) April 21, 2023
The Horn editorial team and the Associated Press contributed to this article.